Vulcanizing press



Oct. 10, 1950 A. B. LEWIS I VULCANIIEZING PRESS 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 FiledJune 28, 1947 ALAN BEVERLEY LEWIS INVENTOR Oct. 10, 1950 Filed June 28, 1947 A B C I) A. B. LEWIS VULCANIZING PRESS 4 SheetS -Sheet 2' ALAN BEVERLEY Lawns INVENTQR QMM ATTO RN EY Oct. 10, 1950 Ew1 2,525,609

VULCANIZING PRESS Filed June .28, 1947 4 Sheets-Sheet z ALAN BEVERLEY Laws INVENTOK ATT' new Oct. 10, 1950 A. B. LEWIS VULCANIZING PRESS 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed June 28, 1947 ALAN BEVERLEY LE-wxs \NVE-NTOR.

AT To RN E? Patented Oct. 10, 1950 VULCANIZING PRESS Alan Beverley Lewis, Mount Royal, Quebec, Canada, assignor to The British Rubber Company of Canada Limited, Westmount, Quebec, Canada, a corporation of the Province of Quebec Application June 28, 1947, Serial No. 757,775 In Canada March 25, 1947 11 Claims. I Introduction This invention relates to an improved automatic footwear vulcanizing apparatus, and more particularly to one which. is adapted to automatically vulcani'ze rubber soles to fabric uppers. In the art of manufacturing footwear having fabric uppers and rubber soles, it has beennecessary to perform the majority of the operation manually, such as first coating the fabric with a solvent or latex cement to promote adhesion and applying a foxing strip, which ultimately forms the finished edge between the sole and the upper. The many subsequent manual operations not only prolonged the time needed to complete the assembling. operation, but raised the cost of the finished article, and due to the human ele ment used in placing different parts, it is almost impossible to produce a run of identical articles. The preformed soles used had to be calendered with a roll capable of imprinting a design, and then cut to an exact shape, generally with a beveled edge. This operation is costly, and the resultant quality and wear of the finished product depends greatly upon this operation.

Objects It is an object of this invention to provide an apparatus which will be completely automatic from the time the last is charged until the last has been discharged from the vulcanizingapparatus carrying the finished shoe.

A further object of this invention is to provide a means whereby the last may be charged and placed in such a position that the balance of the vulcanizing operation is carried out automatically.

It is a still further object of this invention to provide a machine adapted to form a roughly preformed mass of vulcanizable elastomer into a sole and afiix the sole by impregnation to a fabric sock.

It is also an object of this invention to provide a vulcaniz-ing machine capable of automatically carrying out the various motions needed to form a rubber sole with design and affix it to a fabric upper of a piece of footwear.

It is also an object of this invention to provide a vulcanizing machine capableofvulcanizing soles of difierent thickness without a change of dies.

It is a further object of this invention to eliminate the use of inflammable cements in the manufacture of fabric-top shoes, thereby greatl reducing the fire hazard constantly present in the manufacture of said-type of rubber footwear.

It is a still further object of, this invention to ferent style or size of shoe.

" Preferred structure A preferred structure according to the invention which is adapted to accomplish the above objects, includes a base and a superstructure which will carry the necessary electrical, hydraulic, and mechanical apparatus.

Slidably operable in the base is a controlled slide member upon which is pivotally mounted a beam carrying a pair of lasts, one at each end. This beam is adapted to pivot on its centre, thus placing one of the lasts within the superstructure ofthe machine, while the other last is outside in a convenient position for charging by the operator. To enable the beam to be swung 180 to reverse the position of the lasts the mounting for the beam is slidable sufficiently to free the lasts of the superstructure. A double-acting ram, automatically controlled, is workably attached to this slide to draw the last into the vulcanizing position and to eject the last from the machine.

Pivoted on the base to the rear of the aforementioned slide are a pair of laterally pivoting side presser plates carrying side vulcanizing dies, which are operated by means oia ram. Mounted on the superstructure is a double-acting ram which is adapted to raise and lower the sole die which is detachably fixed to the piston oi the ram. The sole die isadapted to be lowered under yielding pressure toregister with the side dies, which form a mold cavity when closed, and to be stopped by the reverse pressure of the charge. This feature allowsfor the thickness of the finished article to be set by the quantity of the charge. Thus it is not necessary to have difierent dies for diiierent thicknesses of finished article.

Timing cycle To insure that the vulcanizing cycle is carried out identically in each case, an automatic timing timed by the timing device. quence takes place:

1. The operator presses the momentary contact button, starting the automatic timing device.

2. The automatic timing device, through an electrical circuit and a four-way solenoid-operated diaphragm valve causes a ram to draw the charged last into vulcanizing position coincident to the vulcanizing dies.

3. The timer through a second circuit and valve causes a second ram to close the side presser plates and the side dies onto the charged die.

4. Through a third circuit and another valve the timer causes a third ram to lower the sole pressure plate and sole die tinder yielding pres-- sure into coincidence with the charged last and the side dies, the charge stopping the downward motion of the die.

5. After a predetermined time the automatic timer causes the last-mentioned ram to momentarily lift the sole die free of the charged die, thus releasing any tra ped air or gases. The ram, actuated by the timer, then lowers the sole die by yielding pressure into vulcanizing position for the duration of the vulcanizing period. After the vulcanizing period has elapsed the timer reverses the procedure causing 6. The sole presser plate and die to lift clear of the last,

'7. The side presser plates and dies to open, and

8. The last to be moved forward clear of the dies and superstructure, thus completing the vulcanizing cycle, the last setting of the timer stopping the mechanism of the timing device.

The operator, having charged the free last during the aforementioned vulcanizing cycle, then rotates the beam 180 and the vulcanizing operation is ready to be started again merely by pushing the momentary contact button. While the vulcanizing operation is in progress, the operator removes the finished shoe from the free last and charges it again, ready for the subsequent vulcanizing cycle.

In order that the presser plates may be kept at the proper heat, thermostatic control is included so that the electric heating elements in the dies are at all times controlled to a set heat.

The following se- Detailed description Still other features will be apparent in the course of the following detailed description in which reference is made to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure '1 is a plan view of the vulcanizing apparatus showing the side presser plates closed and the sole presser plate above the section line.

Figure 2 is a side elevation of the vulcanizing apparatus partly in section with the sole presser plate open and the side presser plates closed.

Figure 3 is a front elevation of the apparatus with the side presser plates closed and the sole presser plate open.

Figure 4 is a section taken on the line 4-4, Figure 2, showing the side and sole presser plates closed in vulcanizing position and illustrating the position of the heated molds to the presser plates.

Figure 5 is a wiring diagram of one of the methods for controlling the separate motions of various automatically movable parts.

Figure 6 is a diagrammatic layout showing the control of the hydraulic system operating the various automatic motions of the vulcanizing press.

With reference to the drawings, the apparatus is mounted on a base I0, which is supported at operating height by floor legs or other suitable means, which are not shown. A pair of side presser plates I2 and I4 are each pivotally mounted adjacent one end for horizontal swinging movement on one of a pair of spaced apart vertical supporting members 24. The side presser plates I2 and I4 include extended portions adjacent the pivotally mounted ends which are linked by means of link bars I5 and i6 to a piston rod I8. This piston rod is operated by a hydraulic ram and guided in the piston guide l9.

Superimposed above the base I0 is the superstructure 2| supported by the pairs of vertical members 22 and 24. Mounted on this super structure is a second hydraulic ram 26 which operates vertically, the piston 28 of the ram 26 being connected to a sole presser plate 30. The presse plate 30 is guided in its vertical travel by a tail portion SI which is formed to encompass the two rear vertical members 24.

Towards the front and centrally located is a slide member 36 which is slidably mounted in a groove 34 formed in the base IIl. Situated to the rear of the base I0 and attached to the slide member 36 by means of a piston 48 is a third hydraulically operated ram 49. The action of this ram 49 is to slide the member 36 in and out as controlled by the timer. Pivotally mounted by the pin mounting 38 to the slide member 36 is the last beam 40 upon which are detachably mounted a pair of lasts 42 and 44 which are held in a substantially upright position by mounting pins 46.

Detachably mounted to the side presser plates I2 and I4 are electrically-heated vulcanizing dies 56 and 52 which are shaped to form the side portions of the vulcanized sole. These side dies are detachably mounted to the side presser plates I2 and I4 by means of Allen screws 5I or the like which facilitate quick removal and accurate linking. The side dies 51] and 52 are shaped to punch oif the upper border and foxing line and to pattern the side portion of the sole during the vulcanizing action. The uppermost portion (as illustrated) of the dies have inside walls which are substantially vertical and are adapted to mate with the sole die 54.

Detachably mounted by Allen screws 5| to the sole presser plate 30 is an electrically-heated sole die 54 which is shaped to fit intoa cavity formed when the side dies are in the closed position. This die 54 is adapted to form the shape and pattern on the sole.

The timing and operation of the presser platesform a vulcanizing cycle, which will be outlined later, and illustrated in Figure 5 is the wiring diagram of an electrical timing device which may be used to control the sequence of movement of the hydraulic system operating the rams.

Illustrated in Figure 6 is the hydraulic system including the pipe lines and their hook-up to the automatic timing device. It will be understood that other circuits or timing devices may be used and the ones illustrated are only for simplicity in describing the motions of the vulcanizing ap paratus during the vulcanizing cycle.

With reference to Figure 5 showing a preferred timing circuit, the synchronous motor is adapted to open and close the circuits A, B, C, and D which operate four-way diaphragm-operated solenoid valves M, N, and O, controlling the operation of, the individual rams 2G, 26 and 49, F gu 6.

i die.

Circuit A, controlling the timer and movement of the slidingwmemberriifi,

Circuit -B, as .well as energizing the 1 timer itself,

controlling "the movement-of :theiside presser plates 12- and M, p

Circuit c controlling the'movementaofthe sole presser plate 30,up to 'and including abumping action,

Circuit D, controlling the :sole presserplate 3i! from afterthe bumpingaction to lth'e end of the cycle. l

-The cycle'ofvulcanizing which includes the above circuit controlled movements of the elem-ents of the apparatus,is initiated by"the pressing of the momentary contact button L and the setting of theytimer causing the energized circuits tooperate solenoid-actuated valves M, N,

and O, the valve actuating the sliding member 3B, the valve N, the side presserplates, and D 'the valve 0, thesole pressler plate. Thelast setting of the timer isto open the complete circuit at the end of one vulcanizing cycle, stopping the synchronous motor 68. v

Heater circuits are also illustrated which include elementsin the two side dies and the sole Theseheatingelements Ffand G, are controlled 'by individual rheostats, H, J, K, the heat of the dies beingchecked by gaugesnot shown on drawings.

Figure 6 illustrates diagrammatically an auto m'atic timer P and pneumatic circuits operating the three rams 2B, 26 and 49. In this diagram each four-way diaphragm-operated valve of Figure 5 is replaced by "two three-waypilot valves for example with "the ram "26, the valve is positioned to allow pressure from the airline to one end of the cylinder, while the valve 0 ispositionedto allow exhaustfromthe cylinder.

When the operation of the ram is reversed, O

is open to the pressure line and O is positioned to exhaust. Reduction valvesiiz, "64 and 66 are placed in the individual supply lines for the rains along with gauges in order that the pressure in each linemay be adjusted. In the instances when a hydraulic or pneumatic timer device is used; a pressure pipe line 88, includinga reductionvalve it! and a pressure gauge 69, is run from the main pressure system to the timer. The

feeder pipe lines iii, '5 i '12, are run from the main pressure pipeline through the respective pilot valves to the rams.

The uulcanizing -cycle The vulcanizing cycle comprises a series of operating motions of the apparatus which are 'timed and co-ordinated by a timing device "P,

which is started by the operatorpressing the momentary contact button Lin Figure 5.

However, prior to starting the vulcanizing cycle, the operator must I first charge one of the lasts 42-44 by placing over thelast the preformed fabric sock which forms the upper o'f the'footwear to which the rubber sole isto be fixed. A predetermined mass of vulcanizable elastomer is thenplaced 'oh the sole portion of the sock. The last is now charged andready for the vulcanizing, 'the apparatus having finished avulcanizing cycle and stopped'with the moving parts in the followingpositions. The piston 48 of the ram 4-9 is'extendedthereby placing the slide member 36 in "its 'forward position so that the pivotally-"mounted "last beam "All is free 'to swing clear of :the "superstructure mounting rods 22. ,Thersideripnesser plates lfzlalid' ll including the dies 5|] and 52 mounted thereon, are open with thewrpiston w of itherram 20 extended. "The sole presser platetaSil with the sole die 54mounted thereon is liftedeand thepistonwZB of-the ram 26 which operates this :presser plate is retracted.

The operatorshaving charged the last-as described, swings rthe last :beam through 180 where itis stoppedxin true alignment by a springa urged balllcatchlll l which is fixed in the sliding member36. The machineis now ready 'for the automatic vulcanizing it cycle, and the operator presses :themomentary contact button L, which in the case of the electrical timer, (Figure 5) starts the synchronous motor 6|] which governs the timing and action of the various rams.

The circuit A closed by the timer opens the *channel in the valve M, diagrammatically.jillustrated in Figure 6 as .M causing the retraction of the piston 38 draws the sliding member 36 including the last beam 40 intoposition so that the charged last "45 (for example) isin proper vulcanizing position "coincident with the side .dies Ell-52 and the sole die'54. Before the piston 48 is "fully retracted thecircuit B is closed by the timer operating FN o f the valve N causing -retraction of the piston [8 of the ram v.

The retraotion'of "the piston .IB through the linkage members and i6 close the side presser plates E2 and I4 upon which are detachably mounted the side dies EU--52 into side contact with the charged last 44. p

Coincident with the closing of theside dies, the timercloses the circuit C operating, 0' of the valve O causing the soe presser plate to descend by the expulsion of thepiston .28 .frornthe ram '26. The sole die "54 mates withthenowclosed side dies fit-52 and the heat and pressuregenerated by the dies causes the vulcanizable elastomer on the chargedlast, to penetrate the fabric of the sock and form the sole fixed to the sock' The, stroke of the piston moving the sole die is limited by the amount of stock .that is placed momentarily liftand then return the sole die to allow the escape of trapped air andgases from the molten rubber which causes defective m olding.

The timer allowing suificient time tocomplete the vulcanizing-of the rubber forming the sole,

reverses the procedure by opening the circuit D allowingpressure-through G of the valve 0, lifting the sole die and --presser plate. Likewise opening circuit Bcauses the opening 'of the side press-er plates and dies, and:1astly openingthe circuit A causes the, extending of the piston 58 which through the'sliding member (-58 and the last beam causes the forward movement of the last 44, which carries the finished vulcanized shoe forward clear of the "superstructure mounting rods 22, "thus completing "the "vulcanized cycle leaving the sole presser plate ulpythe side presser plates open, and'ithe lastcarryingthe vulcanized shoe inits forwardposition and stopscthe operation of the timer P at the completion of the cycle.

The operator, during the elapsed time of the vulcanizing cycle just explained, has charged the last 42, which has remained free of the vulcanizing action, and as the sliding member 36 comes to rest in its forward position, swivels the last beam 40 on its pivotal mounting, thus interchanging the position of the lasts 42 and 44. The pressing of the momentary contact button initiates another vulcanizing cycle using the last 42 while the operator removes the finished shoe from the last 44 and charges it again ready for another vulcanizing cycle.

Advantages Some of the advantages of the applicants vulcanizing machine are:

1. The machine lproduces identical shoes,

which is not possible by handwork. To amplify this statement, where the operations are performed by hand, one operator will place the fox ing high and another low.

2. The resulting shoe is better and stronger because the rubber is impregnated right into the fabric of the sock thus supplying a far stronger bond between the sock and the sole which is important to long life of the shoe.

3. The machine in itself would occupy much less factory space, resulting in greater production from smaller floor space.

4. The automatic cycle of the machine permits one operator to tend several machines, the automatic stopping of the machine and the ejection ing sense, it being desired that only such limitations shall be placed thereon as may be required by the state of the prior art.

The sub-titles used throughout the specification are merely to simplify reference thereto and should otherwise be disregarded.

I claim:

1. An apparatus for making footwear having at least a sole of vulcanizable elastomer, including a fixed frame, a last for supporting the footwear structure including a sole blank of elastomer in sole-uppermost position, a substantially vertically movable sole die and a pair of substantially horizontally movable side dies, comprising, a supporting means for the last mounted on the frame for horizontal movement into a terminal position to clear the last from the dies for loading and into another terminal position wherein the last is in fixed moulding position within access of said dies, means for moving the side dies into moulding position close to the fixed last to form a die cavity, and means for bringing the sole die down into said cavity into contact with said sole blank on the last while the last remains in fixed position.

2. An apparatus for making footwear having at least a sole of vu canizable elastomer, including a fixed frame and in which a last supports the footwear structure including a sole blank of elastomer in sole-uppermost position for action thereon of a substantially vertically moveable F: in.)

sole die and a pair of substantially horizontally moveable side dies, comprising, supporting means for two such lasts mounted on the frame for substantially horizontal movement into a terminal position to clear a last from the dies for loading and into another terminal position in which one of the lasts is in fixed moulding position within access of the dies, said supporting means including a member slidable in the frame and a beam pivotally mounted on said member for rotational movement into ready position in which one of the lasts is in alignment for movement into moulding position, one of the lasts being mounted on each end of said beam whereby one last may be pivoted into said alignment while the other is in loading position and vice versa, means for moving the side dies close to the last in fixed moulding position and holding them there to form a die cavity, and means for bringing the sole die down into the cavity into contact with the sole blank on the last in fixed moulding position.

3. An apparatus, according to claim 2, wherein said member is connected to a hydraulic piston operative within a cylinder, there is a source of pressure for said cylinder, and means for controlling the supply of pressure to the cylinder to move the piston so that said member is moved into and out of moulding position.

4. An apparatus as claimed in claim 2, wherein there is resilient catch means acting between the beam and said supporting member to retain the beam and a last mounted thereon in fixed alignment for movement into moulding position.

5. An apparatus for making footwear having at least a fixed sole of vulcanizable elastomer, including a frame, a last for supporting the footwear structure including a sole blank of elastomer in sole-uppermost position, a substantially vertically movable sole die and a pair of substantially horizontally movable side dies including means for moving the last horizontally into and out of fixed moulding position, wherein one end of each side die is pivotally mounted to the frame wherebv the dies are adapted for substantially horizontal swinging movement inwardly towards the fixed last to form the sides of the footwear 'sole and to form with the last a moulding cavity,

means for moving the side dies into moulding position against the last while the last remains in fixed position to form a die cavity, and means for moving the sole die into said die cavity against the sole blank.

6. An apparatus, according to claim 5, wherein the ends of the dies are linked by a toggle to a single source of pressure, and there is controlling means for said source of pressure whereby the piston may be reciprocated to move the side dies into and out of moulding position.

'7. An apparatus, according to claim 6, wherein the source of pressure is a fluid-operated piston within a cylinder and means for providing pressure to the cylinder to actuate the piston, and the contro ling means is means for controlling said pressure supply to control the operation of said piston.

8. An apparatus for making footwear having at least a sole of vulcanizable elastomer, including a fixed frame, a last for supporting the footwear structure including a sole blank of elastomer in sole-uppermost position, a substantially vertically movable sole die and a pair of substantially horizontally movable side dies, wherein the side-moulding dies are arranged for substantially horizontal movement to a point adjacent the last while the last remains in fixed position to form a substantially vertical mould cavity above said blank, and the sole-moulding die is adapted for vertical movement into said cavity against said blank, the s01e-mou1ding die being mounted on a piston operable within a fluid pressure cylinder, a source of fluid {pressure to said cylinder, and means for controlling said pressure whereby the sole-moulding member may be reciprocated into and out of position relative to said fixed last.

9. Apparatus, according to claim 8, wherein guiding means is provided whereby said sole die is guided positively throughout its stroke into register with said moulding cavity.

10. An apparatus, according to claim 9, wherein said guiding means includes a pair of upright shafts on the frame, a support mounted on an upper portion of said shafts, said cylinder is mounted on said support and said sole-moulding member is provided with an extended portion having a bearing engaging said shafts.

11. An apparatus for making footwear having at least a sole of vulcanizable elastomer, including a fixed frame, a last for supporting the footwear structure including a sole blank of elastomer in sole-uppermost position, a substantially vertically movable sole die and a pair of substantially horizontally movable side dies, wherein the last is mounted for horizontal movement into one terminal position to clear the last of the dies for loading, and into another terminal position Number 10 wherein the last is moved into fixed moulding position within access of the dies, said side dies are pivoted for horizontal swinging movement towards each other to form therebetween a die cavity surrounding the fixed last, and said sole die is mounted for substantially verticalmovement to said cavity and to a position within said cavity for moulding, there is first means for moving said last, second means for moving said side dies, and third means for moving said sole die, controlling means controlling the operation of said first, second and third means, whereby the last is first moved into fixed moulding position then the side dies and then the sole die, and whereby the last and dies are moved out of vulcanizing position in reverse sequence after the vulcanizing operation.

A. BEVERLEY LEWIS.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Name Date 824,710 Desgrandchamps July 3, 1906 841,121 Cavanagh Jan. 15, 1907 1,724,473 Grune Aug. 13, 1929 1,770,655 Nielsen July 15, 1930 1,936,958 Skov Nov. 28, 1933 2,221,742 Hoza Nov. 12, 1940 

